Should You Keep Pushing Your Child to Succeed or Back Off? with Kristin Mervich, LCSW
- Author
- Dr. Leah Clionsky
- Published
- Tue 08 Jul 2025
- Episode Link
- https://educated-parent.captivate.fm
Ever wonder how to strike the right balance between pushing your child to succeed and respecting autonomy in children?
Today’s episode tackles just that - because knowing whether to step in or take a step back can feel like a balancing act.
On this episode, I chat with therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Kristin Mervich about the tricky dilemma high-achieving parents face: when to keep pushing your child to succeed, when to trust autonomy in children, and how guiding a child sometimes means knowing when to back off.
We dig into the effects of parental pressure on a child to succeed - for better or worse - and share a clear framework to help you make thoughtful choices that empower both you and your child.
What you’ll learn:
- How to honor autonomy in children without dropping the ball on motivation by pushing your child to succeed - and when that’s okay.
- What the effects of parental pressure on a child to succeed really look like - mental health, confidence, and that inner spark. Tune in to hear Kristin’s real-life examples.
- Why guiding a child starts with understanding the “why” behind their resistance - and how that insight changes everything.
- A simple 4-question formula to decide: Should you push? Pause? Or pivot? It’s like having a parenting GPS.
If you’ve ever asked: “Am I overdoing it by pushing my kid? Or am I selling them short?” - this episode is for you.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
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